The best way to dominate the Cowboys offense, Justin Tuck figures, is to make sure Tony Romo doesn’t have a running game to use “as a crutch,’’ as the Giants want to “pin everything on him.’’ In order to put the onus on Romo, Tuck and his mates tonight need to limit the threat posed by running back DeMarco Murray.
After a record-breaking career at Oklahoma, Murray was an immediate sensation with the Cowboys, breaking the franchise record with a 253-yard outburst against the Rams in late October. The Giants, though, never really got a taste of what Murray can do. After only five rushing attempts (for 25 yards) early in the first meeting between the two teams, he broke his ankle and went on injured reserve.
“I was close enough to the field,’’ coach Tom Coughlin said of his remembrance of Murray. “Thank you for reminding me. I thought the indigestion would go away.’’
Murray starts and the very capable Felix Jones backs him up. The Giants have faced Jones before but Murray is the new kid on the block.
“He is one of these, I like to call them ping-pong backs,’’ Tuck said. “He is really going to challenge our gap integrity especially on the edges, he likes to bounce things and he has the speed to get there. He is a home run type every time he touches the ball.’’
* Hakeem Nicks is one of seven Giants players — four starters — listed as questionable. Nicks, coming off a broken foot, experienced soreness this week but insists he will play. Also questionable: LT Will Beatty (back), LB Michael Boley (hamstring), LB Mathias Kiwanuka (groin), CB Jayron Hosley (toe), RB Da’Rel Scott (knee) and DE Adrian Tracy (hamstring). RB Ahmad Bradshaw (hand) is probable. CB Prince Amukamara (ankle), DT Marvin Austin (back) and OT James Brewer (back) are all out.
The big news with the Cowboys is that tight end Jason Witten, dealing with a spleen injury, is listed as doubtful, making it highly unlikely that he will play in the opener. NT Jay Ratliff is out and CB Mike Jenkins is questionable.
* With the Giants about $700,000 over the salary cap, according to ESPN guard Chris Snee agreed to a contract restructuring — guaranteeing a portion of his 2012 salary — to provide $3 million in cap relief. … This rivalry has recently been all-Giants. They have won five of the last six games. … This is Coughlin’s 19th NFL opener as head coach but he admits he anticipates butterflies. “Absolutely,’’ he said. “That part of it will never change.’’
* Football on a Wednesday night? It’s the first time that’s taken place for the Giants since Oct. 3, 1934, a 14-12 victory over the Steelers. It’s a rarity. The last NFL game played on a Wednesday was on Sept. 22, 1948 (L.A. Rams 44, Lions 7). … Giants signed WR Brandon Collins — who was with the team in training camp — to their practice squad to replace OL Stephen Goodin.